TURKISH-backed anti-Assad forces pushed their way into a number of villages south of Dabiq yesterday, hours after capturing the symbolic town where Islamic State (Isis) had promised to fight a final apocalyptic battle against “crusaders,” with minimal conflict.
The rebel forces led by Free Syrian Army (FSA) groups and some contingents of Ahrar al-Sham jihadists took control of Sunbul, Al-Salihiyah, Hawar al-Nahr, Ghaytun and Irshaf.
Their advance, which suits Ankara’s aim of establishing a buffer zone preventing Kurdish consolidation and denying Damascus control of its own border, was... read more

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